Hunting

Hunting in Cyprus is a legal activity which is allowed by the relevant legislation which regulates hunting, i.e. the EU Birds Directive (2009/147/EC) and the Cyprus legislation transposing it (152(Ι)/2003). In Cyprus, hunting is particularly widespread and the number of hunters is very high and as a result birdwatchers regularly come in contact with hunters in the countryside, which is disheartening for those who love birds.

However, BirdLife Cyprus and BirdLife International are not opposed to hunting provided it is carried out in a legal way and that it is sustainable, meaning it ensures there are no long-term problems regarding the conservation and maintenance of healthy populations of species, including game species. What we are certainly opposed to is poaching and illegal bird trapping and BirdLife Cyprus is always putting pressure for greater enforcement on the ground.

Spring hunting is prohibited by the EU Birds Directive (2009/147/EC) and the Cyprus legislation (152(Ι)/2003), as it poses a threat to the migration of birds to their breeding grounds. Generally, hunting of migratory birds is from mid-August until end-October and hunting of resident game species from November until December, while hunting of Song Thrushes is permitted until end of February. Usually hunting is allowed on Sundays and Wednesdays, but there are some areas where it is permitted daily for a longer period of time, usually in coastal areas. Hunting is prohibited in certain areas, which can be either permanent or temporary game reserves.

On June 30 2017, the controversial ‘The Protection and Management of Wild Birds and Game Species (Amendment) Law of 2016' was approved with a shocking majority. BirdLife Cyprus believes that the law amendment will be counterproductive for the sustainable management of game and the conservation of wild birds and ineffective with regards to better combatting of poaching and illegal bird trapping. For more information on the law amendment please click here.

For information how to report illegal bird trapping and poaching please click here.

For general information on the hunting seasons, the game species in Cyprus and hunting maps please click here.

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BirdLife Cyprus is the national partner of BirdLife International, a unique global partnership of conservation organisations working locally to deliver long-term conservation for the benefit of nature and people.